Vin Scully: Ronald Reagan 'Knocked the Biggest Fence of All Down'

Legendary Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully lived two blocks from Ronald Reagan, and the greatest sports announcer who will ever live paid tribute to Ronald Reagan at the Reagan Library on Wednesday evening.

“We say they knock the fences down [in our business],” Scully said. “President Reagan knocked the biggest fence of all down — the Berlin Wall. And it’s out there for all of us to see.”

Scully actually donated to Reagan in 1979, and he reminisced about calling the first inning of the 1989 All-Star Game at the Big A in Anaheim with Reagan. He said Reagan had drawn a baseball diamond on a brown piece of paper and filled in the names of all of the players to prepare for his inning with Scully. Scully told the audience that he regrets not swiping it before Reagan left.

Scully reminisced about his career and how much he still appreciates the roar of the crowd like he did when he was listening to college football games in Washington Heights growing up in New York City. He said he did not have any good stories involving Chick Hearn, the best basketball announcer to have ever lived, and legendary Los Angeles Kings hockey announcer Bob Miller because their travel schedules prevented them from spending much time together. Scully said Hank Aaron’s 715th home run was the most significant home run in American history. He talked about Willie Mays, the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson, and so much more.

Vin Scully, the best there ever was, is, and ever will be. That’s something many feel about Reagan as well.